Latch unit



W.. E. WREAD July 9, 1929.

LATCH UN'IT Original Filed Aug. 51, 1925 IN VEN TOR Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. WBEAD, OF LOS ANGELES, CAITIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY IESNE ASSIGN- CLIENTS, TO MCKHINEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, IPENNSY'JZ;

VANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LATCH UNIT.

rim

Application filed August 31, 1925, Serial No. 53,548. RenewpdJanuary 4, 19 28.

i This invention relates to that t pe of latch 1 "unit particularlyapplicable to t e doors of houses, closets, cupboards and similar structures.

One object is to provide a novel latch .unit having handles on each side of the door to which it is attached and the bolt of which may be retracted by the handle on either side of the, door, irrespective of whether the handle on the other side of the door is im-' 'movably held or not.

Another object is to provide a latch unit of the character described in which the handles or knobs may be securely fastened to the bolt operating means without the ne- "cessity of set screws.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting for the knobs of a door whereby end play of the shaft, to which the knobs are secured, is practically eliminated. I

The invention further provides a latch unit with a cross-head at the inner end"of the draw bolt and which cross-head may be independently operated from either side of the latch unit to retract'the draw bolt.

Objects of my invention are to, provide a latch unit; which is simple in construction,

inexpensive to manufacture and which may be quickly installed with a. minimum amount of labor.

Features of invention reside in the parts and combinations of parts as more fully hereinafter described.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed descrip tion and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a latch unit constructed in accordance with this invention,

attached to a door a fragment of which is shown. Dotted lines indicate the lock body.

Fig. 2is an edge view of the same looking Fig. 7 a plan view of the assembly shown 7 .in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the assembly shown in 6 and 7.

Fig. 8 is a perspectiveview of the latch unitbolt retracting member.

Arrows on the various section lines indicate the direction of sight for the respective views.

My latch unit A comprises a tubular body 1 and end plates 2 that are threaded into or otherwise secured to either end of the body 1, and if desired one plate may thread into the body and the other may be cast integral therewith. Each plate 2 is formed with a tubular extension 3, which extends therefrom, and protrudes from the front or rear face of the door a as the case may be.-

A draw bolt 4 screws into a hollow sleeve 5 that is slidably mounted on a pin 6 for reciprocal movement in the body 1. The sleeve 5 extends from the body 1 through an open ing 7 which also forms a bea'rmg for the sleeve 5.

A .crosshead 8 is formed on the inner end of the sleeve 5 and is'positioned within the body 1. A tapered latch member 9 is snitably connected to the outer end of the draw bolt. The latch member '9 is adapted to extend from the free edge 6 of the door to ,which the latch unit is attached and teengage the usual catch plate, well known in the art.

The latch member 9 is slidably mounted 1n a guide plug 10 which forms a bearing for the outer end of draw bolt. Thdplug 10 is fitted into the free edge b of door a as more fully hereinafter set forth.

A pin 6 is provided which slidably engages sleeve 5 at one end, th pin G'havin a reduced end 11 that extends through the and said reduced end is riveted over to securely fix the pin to the body 1. Resilient dyl' means in the form of a spring 12' encircling the pin 6 operates between the cross head 8 and the body 1 to normallyeurge the draw bolt 4 outwardly. f

Oscillatable means are provided to engage the crosshead and retract the draw bolt 4 and such means comprise retracting members 13 each having a bearing 13' journaled in the extension of plate 2, 3 and having on its ilmer end within the body 1, a disc 14 and on its 1 an m a zouter end a reduced threaded ti which extends beyond the outer endof t e members 13 and is adapted to have a knob 16 of any convenientshape screwed thereon. An arcuatc ing 17 is rovided on the inner face of the disc 14 an the-spring 12 normally holds the crosshead 6 against the. ends of saidlug 17. The parts are-so assembled and relate as shown in Fig. 4', that, when in a state of rest,

the plate 8 engages. the-ends of the lug 17 and'holds the disc 14, and associated parts, r infs mmetrical and balanced D the atch 9 extended to full latc ing position.

osition, with Rotation ct either knob 16 oscillates the as sociated member 13 and leg 17 so that either end of said lug, according to the directionof rotation of said knob, will force the crosshead 8 inwardly against the tension of spring- 12, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 4, and

thereb slide the draw bar 4 inwardly and retract t e latch member 9.

The crosshead 8 may be moved b rotadoubt one knob irrespective of whet er the other knob is held, and may consequently be retracted byrotation of either knob in either direction, at all times. Rotation of either knob, to 0 crate the latch, will not have any turning e ect on the other knob, which will remain stationary, and the resistance to rotation will thus be lessened. Upon release of either turned knob, however, and return of .the parts to normal position, under the action of spring 6, the disc will engage the lugs 1'1 on-both knobs, ensurin correction of any accidental displacement o the idle knob, and

- positioning both for further operation.

A coverplate 18 is securely held in position over the tubular body 1 and bore B in which the body is mounted, by a cap 19 that is screwed onto each of the tubular extensions 3. The cap 19 is provided with a shoulder 19. that engages the plate 18 and the tighter cap 19" is screwed onto the extension 3 the tighterplate 18 will be drawn against the door a.

.Each cap 19 is formed with acentral opening 18 through which the shank c of the knob 16 enters when such knob is screwed home on the threaded tip 15. 1 To mount the latch unit A in the door a, a

transverse bore B of suitable diameter to receive the lock body 1 is made through the door by any suitable bit and brace. A bore C is drilled into the bore B from the free edge I) of the door and is of slightly smaller diameter than the guide plug 9 but still large enough to permit the tapered latch member 7 to be] freely rotated therein during assembly. I

The serrated edges of plug 10 tends to prepearance.

'pendently adapted to retract said draw bolt.

bolt having a cross member protrude from the free edge I; of the door a. The guide plug 10 is then driven into the bore C until the outer face of the plug 10is flush with the free edge or door a.

vent accidental withdrawalcf said plug.

The plug 10 prevents rotation of the latch member 9 and also closes the outer end of bore Cthereby providing a neat finished ap -Iclaimz' 1. A latch unit comprising a bodyhavi'ng extensions forming bearin members, a draw bolt extending from said bolt and journaled in saidbearing members; and means on each of said retracting members body; two retracting members in said body adjacent said draw adapted to" engage and retract. said draw bolt,

each of said retracting members being inde- 2. A latch unit comprising a body, a draw bolt having a crosshead member reciprocally mounted in-said body; yielding means urging ;sa id crosshead member in a direction outwardly from said body; a'retractmg member mounted insaid body; means on said retractingmember adapted to engage said erosshead to retract said crosshead member against the tension of said spring; guide means on the latch body, forwardly and rearwardly of the crosshead, with which the crosshead has slidable engagement. i w

3. A latch 't comprising a body, a draw bolt comprising a crosshead member reciprocally mounted in said body, a latch member screwed into said crosshead member; yielding means urging said crosshead.member outwardly fromsaid body; retracting members rotatably mounted in said body and comprising a disk, a lu on said disk adapted to engage said cros head and retract said draw bolt ineith'e-r direction of rotation; and a knob mounted on said retracting member.

v 4. A latch unit comprising a tubular body; tubularextensions on said body; a=retracting member journalled in said tubular extensions; a knob on said retracting member; a guide pin extendin into said body; a draw head member, said draw bolt being reciprocally mounted on said pin; a spring between said body and said head to normally urge the draw bolt outwardly from said .body.

5. In combination with a door or the like having a bore therein and a second bore com municating with said first named bore: ,a latch unitcomprising a body positioned in said first named bore; tubular extensions on said body protruding from both sides of said door; a draw bolt extending from said body through said second bore; retracting means mounted in said tubular extensions; means operatively connecting said retracting means and said draw bolt; a knob secured to said refirst named bore; and caps screwed on said extens ons to draw said plates against said 6. In combination with a door or the like having a bore therein and a second bore communicating with said first named bore; a latch unit comprising a body positioned in said first named bore; tubular extensions on said body protruding from the sides of said member and said retracting means; a'knob.

secured to said retracting means; a plate covermg said first named bore on each side thereof; and a cap screwed on sald extension against said plate to retain said body and plates in position.

7 A'latch unit comprising a body, a draw bolt comprising a crosshead member-reciprocally mounted 1n said body; a sleeve extending from said crosshead; a latchmember secured to said sleeve; a pin fixed to said body and extending into said sleeve; a spring surrounding said pin and engaging said head to urge the crosshead member outwardly; a retracting member comprising a disk; an arcuate lug on said disk against which said crosshead normallyrests: and means to rotate said disk to'retract saidcrosshead member and draw bolt.

8. A latch unit comprising a body, a draw bolt comprising a crosshead member reciprocally mounted in said body, a sleeve extending from said crosshead; a latch member secured to said sleeve; a pin fixed to said body and extending into said sleeve; a springsurrounding said pin andengaging said head 7 to urge the crosshead member outwardly; a

tubular extension on said body; a retracting member journalled in said extension; a knob secured to said retracting member; a disk on said retracting member; a lug on said disk against which said crosshead normally rests, said lug being adapted to retract said head 'when saidvknob is rotated; other retracting means comprising a disk, a lug on said disk adapted to engage said head, said other retracting means being operable irrespective of said first-named retracting means.

9. A latch unit comprising a body, a latch carrier extending through one wall of the body, a guide'member on the rear wall of said body for slidably supporting the inner end of the carrier, a cross head on the carrier disposed within the latch body, and means for,

yieldingly urging said cross head in an outward direction.

10. A latch unitcomprising a body, a latch carrier extending through one wall of the body, a guide member on the rear wall of said body for slidably supporting the inner end of the carrier, a cross head on the carrier disposed within the latch body, means for yield- .ably urging saidjcross head in an outward direction, and aroll back member engaging sald head to each side of the longitudinal center line of said carrier member.

11. A latch-unitcomprising a body, exten.

sions on said body, retracting devices journaled in said extensions and posltlonmg plates having screw-threaded adjustment with respect to said extensions, the said plates being adaptedto engage the facesof a door containing the unit and serving as means for positioning the lock body in a desired vertical plane withm a door.

12. A latch unit comprising a body, a cross head member mounted for reciprocable movement in said body, a latch member having a shank portion connected to and adjustable with respect to said cross head member on its longitudinal axis, retracting means disposed forwardly of said cross head for withdrawing the latch, and yiel dable means disposed rearwardly of said cross head for urging the same forwardly.

13. A latch unit comprising a housing having an opening through one of its sides, a bolt carrier, a bolt having screw threaded connection with the outer end of said carrier, and a spring engaging a rear surface of the carrier to urge the same outwardly, the wall of said opening serving to guide the carrier and bolt during reciprocable movements thereof.

14. A bolt operating mechanism comprising in combination with a housing having a lateral orifice; a bolt carrier comprising a member operable in the housing, and provided with a lateral extension operable through the-orifice, and adapted for connection with a latch bolt; and means to move the carrier to operate the extension through the orifice.

15. A bolt operating mechanism comprising in combination with a housing having a lateral orifice; a bolt carrier comprising a member operable in the housing, and provided with a lateral extension operable through the orifice; means to move the carrier to operate the extension through the orifice, and a bolt shank adjustably threaded in the extension.

16. A bolt operating mechanism comprising a housing having a lateral orifice; a bolt carrier comprising a member operable in the housing and an extension operable through the orifice; a spring to hold'the carrier toward the side of the housing having the orifice, and means to retract the carrier. I

17 The combination with a housihg having a lateral orifice, of a bolt carrierhaving a bore and mounted in th'e ,hoi1si11g"a'nd provided with an extension in said orifice: a coil I spring to hold the carrier toward that: side of the housing provided with the orifice said extension having abore; a guide pin fixed ing a lateral orifice, and-having a journal bearing in one end; of a carrier mounted in the housing and provided with a bore, andwith an extension, operable in said.orifice;'

- a spring to hold the carrier toward the side of the housingprovided with the orifice; a

pin fixed in the housing and extending into the bore; a cam to operate the carrier, and aspindle carrying thegcam and jounaled 'in' one of thebearings and adapted to operate the carrier to retract the carrier against the pressure of the spring.

19. A bolt operating mechanism compris- 'ing' a housing having -a journal hearing at one end and an orifice at one side, a bolt car-' it wall and provided with a spindle in said' rier provided with a flat face and having an extension operable through the orifice, means to yieldingly hold the carrier toward the orifice; a plate having a spindle journalled in the bearing and a cam to retract the carrier. y

20. Bolt operating mechanism comprising a housing having a chamber with a lateral orifice, a flat inside end wall and a journal bearing opening into the chamber through said end wall; a bolt carrier mounted in the chamber and having an extension in the lateral orifice; means to hold the carrier toward the orifice; a disk fitted against the fiat end bearing and with a cam to operate the carrier. 21. A latch -housing comprising a she and two threaded hubs 'forming journal bearings, facing plates on said threaded .hubs and nuts on said hubs to hold said facing plates against a closure when the shell is mounted in such closure.

22. The combination with a closure, of a latch housing comprising a shell having an open end and a transversely extending way in the side for a bolt connection; a detach-' able end piece for the open end of said shell, the other end of said shelland said end piece being provided with hubs forming journal bearings for spindles for the operation of a bolt-operating mechanism within the chambar, and means for adjusting the position of the shell within the closure.

.23. The combination with a closure, of a latch housing comprising ashell having'an open end and a transversely extending way in the side for a bolt connection; adetach able end piecefor the open end of said shell, the shell and end piece being provided with journal bearings and nuts on said hub adapted for adjusting the posifion of the shell within the closure.

comprising a shell having an open housin %i a transverse way extending in the end an side for a bolt connection, a detachable end 'piece for the open end of said shell, hubs formedon said shell and end piece and nuts on said hubs adapted for adjusting the position of the shell in the closure.

25. A latch unit comprising a body formed to lie within an opening through a door and between the outer planes of the door, and having an extension of reduced diameter, a latch-operating spindle journaled in said extension, a face plate at each side of the door,

and means for connecting each of said plates to thehousing, for adjustment transversely of the door. I 7

26. A latch unit comprising a body portion, a latch-carrying member supported thereby, a latch member, a connecting device rigidly'connected to one of said mem-v bers and adjustably connected to the other member, and'means engaging the carrying member for 27. Latch structure comprising a" body portion, a latch-carrying member supported and guided thereby, a latch member having its inner end connected to the carrying member, and means independent of and removed fronnthe body portion, for supporting and guiding the-outer end of-the latch member.

28. A latch unit comprising a body-portion, bearing members at substantially .opposite points on said body-portion, a draw bolt reciprocable relative to said body-portion, and. disposed substantially at right anyieldably urging said members- I outwardly. l

gles to said bearing members, a plurality of draw-bolt operating devices "any one of which is operable independently to actuate said draw-bolt, and means, exterior of the latch unitsupport to operate said devices.

29. A latch-unit comprising a body-portion, bearing members extending axially from said body-portion at opposite sides, a draw-bolt reciprocably mounted in said body-portion [at substantially right angles to said bearing members, a plurality of .draw-bolt operating devices any one of which is operable. independently to actuate said draw-bolt, and means exterior of and on opposite sides of the door latch port to operate said devices. 1

30. A latch unit comprising a body-portion having bearing members at opposite sides, a reciprocable draw-bolt mounted in said body-portion at substantially right angles to said bearing members, independently operable draw bolt actuating devicestraversing said bearing members, operating connections between said devices and said drawunit supbolt, and exteriorly disposed means for moving said draw-bolt actuating devices.

81. A latch unit comprising a body-portion having bearing members'at opposite tion having bearing members at' opposite sides, a I reciprocable spring-p'roj ected. drawbolt mounted in-said bodyortion at substantially right angles to sai bearing members, independently operable draw-bolt retracting devices traversing said bearing members, operating connections between said devices and said draw-bolt, andexteriorly disposed means for moving said drawbolt retracting devices,

32. A latch unit comprising a body-porsides, a reciprocable spring-projected longitudinally adjustable draw-bolt mounted in said body-portion at substantially right angles to said bearing members, independently operable draw-bolt retracting'de'vices trav-- ersing said bearing members, operating connections between said devices and said draw bolt, and exteriorly disposed means for moving said draw-bolt retracting devices.

33. A latch unitcomprising a body-portion having bearing members at'opposite sides, a spring-projected draw-bolt mounted in said body-portion at substantially right angles to said bearing members, draw-bolt guiding means; independently operable draw-bolt actuating devices traversing said devices traversing said bearing members, op-

erating connections between said devices and said draw-bolt, and exteriorly disposedmeans for moving said drawbolt. p

35. The combination with a support having a substantially T-shaped socket, of a latch unit comprising a body-portion mounted in the top bore'of the T-shaped socket, adrawbolt reciprocable in the leg bore of the socket, a plurality of independently operable drawa bolt actuating devices, operating connections between said devices and said draw-bolt, and means disposed exteriorly of the support to move said actuating devices.

36. The combination-with a sup ort having a substantially .T-sha ed soc et,- of a latch unit'comprising a-su stantially cylindrical body-portion mountedi r the to bore of the T.-sl 1aped socket, a lon 'tudina jnstable draw-bolt reciproca le in the leg .bore of the socket, a plurality of independently operable draw-bolt actuating device's, op-

yad-

crating connections between saiddevices and said draw-bolt, and means disposed exteriorly .ot' the support to move said actuating devices.

37. The combination with a support vhaving a substantially rT-shaped socket, of a latch-unit comprising a cylindrical body-per tion mounted in the top bore of the T-shaped socket, a spring-projected draw-bolt reciprocable in the leg bore of the socket, a. plurality of independently operable draw-bolt actuating devices, operating connections between said devices'and said draw-bolt, and means disposed exteriorly of the support to move' said actuating devices.

38. The combination with a. support having a substantially T-shaped socket, of a latch-unit comprising a cylindrical body-portionmounted in the top bore of the'T-shaped socket, a spring-projected draw-bolt reciprocable in the leg bore of the socket, and retractable entirely within said body-portion, independently operable draw-bolt actuating devices, operating connections between said devices and "said draw-bolt, and means disposed exteriorly of the support to move said actuating devices.

39. The combination with a support having a substantially T-shaped socket, of a latch-unit comprising a body-portion mounted in the top bore of the'T-shaped-socket,

means for securing said body portion in the bore, a draw-bolt reciprocable in said bodyportion and extending into the leg bore of the S031mt means for'supporting the outer end of S211 operating means in said body-portion and operable exteriorly from either side of said support.

a In testimony whereof, I'have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 21st day of August, 1925.

WILLIAM E. WREAD.

raw bolt, and independent draw-bolt. 

